Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-03-05
Who Was She?

tOrty-Qlne, an nOur De1Ore sunset. we
three were leisurely riding over the prairie
-Davenant, his little daughter Minnie,
and l. We had left the fort at noon for an
hours ride; and, tempted by the crisp,
bracing atmosphere and the magnifcence
of the scene, beguiling the way with
friendly chat, We had gone on and on until
the day was well-nigh spent. Grand spec
tacle indeed was that! A cloudless autumn
sky overhead; q treeless, level eXpanse of
plain stretching out everywhere to the hori-
zon, with no living thing in view-a place
where man could be all alone with his
Maker. We drew rein at last with COM
mon impulse, and looked all about us.
Then Davenant and l exchanged Slances
which were quite intelligent, without
words. So far had our course brought us,
that the fort and all the landmarks near il
were beyond our vision; there was nothing
to guide us back. We were plainly and
palpably lost OF the prairie. What We might
have thought, what done, must be forever
conjectured; the danger that was presently
thrust upon our attention drove the lesser
evil from our thoughts.
Look there!" exclaimed the child. How
funny"
Her finger pointed to the east. Against
the clear sky, brought into full relief by
the S6ltl0S sui. u uOZen oDJeClo
peared moving in our direction.
We watched them for few moments as
they seemed to increase i'll size.
"Tbey are coming this way" l said.
They are Indians" suddenly cried
Davenant. "Ride-ride for your lives!"
The child was used to horseback exer-
else, and could ride at top speed. They
were mounted on the ponies common to the
plains; | bestrode a powerful bay thor
oughbred, the favorite mount of the COM
mandant of the post. He answered my
spur with half a dozen bounds which took
me away from my companions; but l
needed their Cry, and checked him to theil
pace. For ten minutes we galloped steadi-
ly on without word. Then a faint yell
rose behind us; our pursuers were gaining.
"These wretched animals" Davenant
muttered through his teeth. They will
destroy us-Ha"
The exclamation was caused by the whis-
tie of something overhead, which buried
itself in the ground. 1t was an arrow.
held the curb close on my noble horse,
while the ponies toiled painfully along
under the whip to keep pace with him.
savage whoop sounded frightfully near,
and a shower of missiles Glove the air
around us. With groan, Davenant drop
ped from his pony. 1 pulled short up.
Don't STOP" he cried. I'm done for.
Good-by, old fellow! Save Minnie and
God bless you"
dashed on; and minute later chorus
of demoniac cries in the rear told me of the
horrible fate of my friend. In five minutes
more, the fiendish troop would overtake
the pony that carried Minnie. l could not
leave her; what could be done? There
was one expedient, and took it. Riding
oIoSo baSi5n bar liftaI bar n off tha sad
die and placed her in front of me. Cling
to me, now, for your life!' l cried; and
her arms were fast about my neck.
And now. under whip and spur. my gal
liant bay stretched out i'll n tremendous
pace. Redoubled yells, continual flights
of arrows assailed us as We tore on-so
swiftly, indeed, that to my excited fancy
the prairie seemed to sink beneath us, and
We were flying through the air. glance
over my shoulder gladdened me with hope;
our flight was fast distancing our pursuers;
their cries had grown fainter-the arrows
did not reach us. The sun had set, but
fiery glow was spread half to the zenith,
when drew rein. Not savage was in
sight; We were saved. l dismounted, and
helped my precious charge to the ground.
She lay passive in my arms; she had
lulutSu Nurelully L ldlu ntE uO"u, anu
famed her with my hat till she revived.
She Enclosed her eyes and sighed, but no
color came back to her cheek.
Poor father" she murmured, they have
killed him nd-and-I am dreadfully
hurt"
To my horror and distress, now saw
that an arrow had entered her side. took
her hands, and my tears fell on them.
You cannot help me-" she whispered.
"lou have been so good to me-and so
brave! l am not leaving you forever-O,
no! Some time some time"
Her faint accents failed as bent low to
hear them.
The rudy glow Of the western heavens
still family lighted the somber prairie
when scouting party from the fort
reached the spot. The horse was quietly
cropping the short grass near by; l was
kneeling by the beautiful dead child, hold
ing her tear wet hands.
An event like that Just described, occur
ring to an ardent and generous youth of
twenty, will inevitably produce powerful
impression. So it was with me. Davenant,
though much older than 1, was my dearest
friend. He was widower; Minnie was his
| only child; and we three had journeyed to
what was then the far West, for recreation
and pleasure. And this was the melan-
| choly ending of our Journey Lonely and
sad, l returned to my Eastern home. So
| terrible were the details of this tragedy,
| and SO sacred seemed the sufferings and
| the words of that dear child, that only
REQUIRED to these thinps in my own sad